4.
Cabinet has approved of post-war construction programme of 25 vessels of between 2,000 and 5.000 tons deadweight capacity to be constructed overa period of five years. Preliminarypl ans have been completed and specifications have been completed and specification nearing completion.

1.
In view of the adjustment of the lendlease agreement with the United States of America, will he now make available to local government authorities and contractors', necessary road-making plant which has been parked at Rocklea and other places in Australia pending authority for disposal, especially as government works and organizations have already drawn their supplies from earlier available stocks?

2.
Ts it a fact that owing to delays by the Australian Government in deciding to purchase largequartities of earth-moving and other heavy engineering equipment originally offered by the American Authorities to Australia and which was urgently required by local governing authorities and others in this country, this equipment was purchased by the New Zealand Government? 3.If the opportunity to purchase such heavy engineering equipment is not admitted to have been lost by delaying a decision by theAustralian Government, why was such earth-moving plant lost to Australia?

Mr Lazzarini
- The answers to the honorable member's questions are as follows : -

1.
Surp'us road-making plant at Rocklea was actually under offer to government authorities before the lend-lease settlement, and is now in process of being cleared. In any case, instructions have been issued to ensure that equipment arising as a result of the settlement of lend-lease is marketed without delay. 2 and 3. All offerings by the Americans have been scrutinized by competent Commonwealth authority in relation to known Australian demand, and considerable quantities have been purchased. There is no knowledge of New Zealand Government purchases, but possibly these may relate to United States property offered outside of the mainland or Australian operational areas. Apart from purchases of United States equipment on the mainland, Australia has secured stocks offered ex United States Pacific Island bases, and is now negotiating further purchases from such areas.